Architectural Illustration with Watercolor
A course by Gonzalo IbáñezWatercolorist and Architect
A course by Gonzalo Ibáñez, Watercolorist and Architect
Discover perspective drawing techniques and learn how to capture light and shadow
According to Gonzalo Ibáñez, draftsman and architect, watercolor is the medium of light par excellence, capturing the essence of nature through its capacity for transparency and consistency. He believes watercolor is a captivating artform that always has something to teach, and opens up the possibility to make your own rules in an ever-evolving game.
In this course, learn how to get the most out of watercolor painting by creating an architectural or urban landscape based on an image. Gonzalo guides you through the creative process step-by-step, from your first sketch to the final details. Learn his unique method for achieving realistic works of art that creatively play with lights and shadows.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 25 downloads
What will we do in this course?
1 minute, 33 seconds
The architectural motif
5 minutes, 5 seconds
Drawing and practical notes
14 minutes, 0 seconds
The consistency of the pigment and its application
13 minutes, 26 seconds
Brush stroke technique
15 minutes, 20 seconds
Tonal value and shape unification
6 minutes, 38 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know Gonzalo, his journey into watercolor painting, and some of his artistic influences. Then, take a quick look at the content and material in this course.
In the second unit, start learning how to create an architectural sketch from scratch. Layout the structure, explore different perspectives, and refine your idea. Then, start drawing your image. Gonzalo gives you some tips for making this task easier and more efficient.
Learning how to use watercolors will be the central theme of this next block. Get familiar with the recommended materials before going through some exercises and practicing with different tools. Work on your brushstroke and explore consistencies.
Next, step into the world of light and shadow, studying some unique conditions that you may encounter and how they can affect the space. To do this, get to know the scale of tonal values and the principle of unification of form.
Now, it’s time to take on your final illustration with everything you have learned in this course. Start using color and learn about broken colors, which can help your work achieve chromatic harmony. Finally, make some final adjustments to help focus your viewer's eye on what’s important.
What is this course's project?
Make a watercolor painting of an architectural or urban landscape based on an image.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in watercolor painting, perspective drawing, urban sketching, or architectural rendering.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge of drawing or watercolor is needed. This course will introduce you to the technique from scratch.
Materials needed include: watercolor paper 300gr/m2 (or higher), watercolors (pill or tube form), a palette, and round-tip brushes numbers 14, 8, and 2. In addition, you need some simple supplies like blotting paper, paper tape, a large water container, and a water sprayer. For drawing, the teacher recommends graphite pencils with hardnesses between H and B, as well as a soft eraser.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Excellent lessons in perspective and architectural approach without being too pedantic about detial and yet achieving an amazing result! Thank you.
- 2 months ago
Fantástico curso para aprender los fundamentos de la acuarela y el paisaje urbano!
- 2 months ago
Güzel bir anlatım çok şey öğreniyorum teşekkür ederim
- 2 months ago
el profesor se explica muy bien, y me ha encantado esta temática con acuarela
- 2 months ago
Me gusta mucho porque los pasos son muy claros y didácticos y además ofrece muchas referencias y recursos para complementar el contenido.
He studied architecture at the University of Chile (2017) and holds a diploma in aesthetics and philosophy from PUC (2018). He has participated in festivals and group exhibitions internationally, such as the Kosovo Biennial and the Fabriano Acquarello festival in Italy. He has also won several awards at festivals such as the Mini Castra 2020 in Slovenia and the IWS Chile Viña del Mar 2020.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in this course?
- U2
Drawing the architectural motif
- Basics of perspective drawing
- The architectural motif
- Drawing and practical notes
- U3
Knowing the environment
- Materials and work area
- The consistency of the pigment and its application
- Brush stroke technique
- U4
Catching the light
- Basics of light capture
- Tonal value and shape unification
- Light study
- U5
Building the image
- 3 layer method
- Stage lights
- Shadow stage
- Final details and adjustments stage
- FP
Final project
- Architectural Illustration with Watercolor
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is aimed at people with basic drawing or watercolor skills, ideal for intermediate level. You don’t need to be an expert, but some familiarity with basic art techniques is recommended.
You’ll need watercolor paper (preferably cotton), brushes made for watercolor, pigments, masking tape, and an angled support. A graphite pencil and a palette for mixing colors are also recommended.
You’ll learn how to depict light, shadow, and texture in architecture, perspective techniques, composition, using a limited palette, and the three-stage method to create expressive and realistic works.
Yes, the course focuses on developing skills to plan and depict light and shadow, achieving depth, contrast, and realistic atmospheres in architectural scenes.
Yes, you’ll learn how to make preliminary drawings and architectural sketches, structuring the composition and correctly placing the horizon line and vanishing points.
The course covers loose brushstrokes, smooth strokes, color gradients, and controlling sharp edges, as well as managing moisture to achieve different painterly effects.
You’ll learn to identify the horizon line, locate vanishing points, and apply freehand perspective to represent depth and volume in urban scenes.